Cruz, at a status hearing, chose not to formally enter a plea, and Broward County Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer entered a "not guilty" plea on his behalf, the Broward County State Attorney's Office said.

Also, for the first time, some family members attended, State Attorney's spokeswoman Constance Simmons said.

The next court date is a standard status hearing set for April 27.

On Tuesday, Broward County State Attorney Michael Satz said he will ask for the death penalth.

Satz said he filed a "notice of intent to seek death" in the 17 first-degree murder counts stemming from the Feb. 14 rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that left 14 students and three adults dead.

Cruz also is charged with attempted murder in the shootings of 17 others who survived.

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